2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in North Carolina

[Art Studies](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/art-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong art studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for art studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Art Studies Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in art studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Art Studies Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for art studies in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $18,745 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fayetteville State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $27,497. Art Studies graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $16,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,497 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $15,257. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Typical student debt for art studies graduates is $23,942. Art Studies graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #5 place for art studies. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the art studies program here. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $24,253. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University earned the #6 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,653 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $43,969. That is a strong return on a $27,653 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value art studies schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, art studies degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $25,855. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Appalachian State University earned the #8 position for value in art studies this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $21,985 in student loans. Early-career art studies graduates make about $22,120. Set against $21,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University came in at #9 for value in art studies this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the art studies program here. Early-career art studies graduates make about $21,980. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College came in at #10 for value in art studies this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. In-state tuition and fees average $64,430. Art Studies graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Art Studies graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $41,505 early in their careers. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.
More Art Studies Rankings
View All Art Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.